C-Shaped Profile

ABSTRACT

A C-shaped sheet metal profile for partitions that are planked on both sides is provided. The C-shaped profile comprises two leg sections and a bottom section that interconnects the leg sections. The leg sections form lateral faces of the C-shaped profile. At least one of the leg sections is provided with beads which protrude outward and form a support area for the planking. At least some sections of the beads are embodied such that the support area corresponds to more than 5 percent and less than 25 percent of the lateral face when the depth of penetration of the beads into a planking amounts to 0.3 mm.

The present invention relates to a C-shaped sheet metal profile forpartitions that are planked on both sides, having two leg sections andone bottom section connecting the two leg sections, the leg sectionsforming lateral surfaces of the C-shaped profile and at least one of theleg sections having beads protruding outward and forming a supportsurface for the planking.

BACKGROUND

C-shaped profile of this type in which the leg sections have a pluralityof parallel beads running longitudinally and protruding outward is knownfrom DE 100 13 991 C1.

Although effective sound insulation can now be achieved for dryconstruction walls produced using such previously known C-shapedprofiles, it is desirable to further improve the sound-insulatingproperties. The manufacturing costs should not be increased or onlyminimally increased in this process.

An object of the present invention is to further refine a C-shapedprofile of the type recited at the outset so that the sound-insulatingproperties are improved with minimal additional costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a C-shaped profile recited at the outsetin that the beads are configured at least in some sections in such a waythat the support surface is greater than 5% and less than 25% of thelateral surface when the penetration depth of the beads into a plankingis 0.3 mm.

Appropriate configuration of the beads with the support surface sizeaccording to the present invention can make it possible to significantlyimprove the sound-insulating properties. The specification of thecontact surface size is provided for a penetration depth of 0.3 mm.During installation of the C-shaped profile of the present invention,the bracing against the planking can result in a certain penetration ofthe beads into the planking. In the case of gypsum plasterboards, thebeads can press slightly into the surface of the boards. However, thespecification of the penetration depth does not mean that the C-shapedprofile is only protected in the installed state or must always beinstalled with the same penetration depth. Rather this specification isintended to clearly define the support surface for the C-shaped profileregardless of the forces occurring during subsequent installation andthe resulting penetration depth in the installed state. The lateralsurface results from the product of the length and width of the legsections regardless of any cutouts, bore holes, and deformationsexisting in the leg sections.

A further improvement may be achieved in that the beads are configuredand dimensioned in such a way that the support surface is greater than10% of the lateral surface and less than 20% of the lateral surface, inparticular greater than 12% of the lateral surface and less than 18% ofthe lateral surface, when the penetration depth of the beads into aplanking is 0.3 mm.

It may be particularly advantageous when the beads are configured anddimensioned such that the support surface is greater than 13% of thelateral surface and less than 16% of the lateral surface when thepenetration depth of the beads into a planking is 0.3 mm.

Manufacture may be facilitated in that the leg sections and the bottomsection are made from one piece of sheet metal.

The beads may be advantageously oblong and run in the longitudinaldirection of the C-shaped profile, in particular over its entire length.

Effective load distribution results when each leg section may have threeto five parallel beads, in particular four parallel beads.

The height of the beads may be advantageously between 0.5 mm and 5 mm,in particular between 1 mm and 3 mm.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the presentinvention, at least one of the beads may be convex in the region of thesupport surface and the radius at the top of the bead is between 0.6 mmand 2.5 mm, in particular between 0.8 mm and 1.9 mm.

A further improvement may be achieved in that the beads are configuredin such a way that the width of the contact surface in the region of oneof the beads is between 1 mm and 3 mm, in particular between 1.3 mm and2.2 mm, when the penetration depth of the beads into a planking is 0.3mm.

The rigidity as well as the sound-insulating properties of the C-shapedprofile may be improved in that at least part of the surface of thesheet metal of the C-shaped profile has knurling. The knurling resultsin local, in particular punctiform, deformations of the sheet metal. Inthis context a large number of deformations may be provided per unitarea, e.g., more than 5 deformations per cm² or more than 10deformations per cm².

It may also be provided according to the present invention that thebeads have a protrusion on their top side and a recess on their bottomside.

The usability of the C-shaped profile may be expanded in that the twoleg sections have different lengths, thus making it possible to join twoidentical C-shaped profiles to form a rectangular profile such that theshorter leg section of the C-shaped profile rests on the interior sideof the longer leg section of the other C-shaped profile.

In this context it may be advantageous when the beads of the two legsections are staggered with respect to one another such that when twoC-shaped profiles are joined to form a rectangular profile, theprotrusions of the beads of the shorter leg sections rest in therecesses of the beads of the longer leg sections. The staggering of thebeads results in a varying distance of the beads from the bottomsection. However, the distance between the beads of both leg sectionsmay be equal.

According to the present invention, it may be advantageous for thethickness of the sheet metal to be between 0.3 mm and 3 mm, inparticular between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

Additional objectives, features, advantages, and possible applicationsof the present invention result from the following description ofexemplary embodiments on the basis of the drawings. All described and/ordepicted features alone or in any combination form the object of thepresent invention regardless of their combination in the individualclaims or their reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures show:

FIG. 1 shows a spatial representation of the C-shaped profile of thepresent invention according to a first specific embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a spatial representation of the C-shaped profile of thepresent invention according to a second specific embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the section of the partition having theC-shaped profile of the invention from FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail A from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of two identical C-shaped profiles fromFIG. 1 joined to form a rectangular profile; and

FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the section of a partition having theC-shaped profile of the invention according to a further specificembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, C-shaped profile 1 has a bottomsection 3 and two leg sections 2, 2′ C-shaped profile 1 has an oblongshape. Accordingly, bottom section 3 and leg sections 2, 2′ have anessentially rectangular base form. Leg sections 2, 2′ are provided oneach lateral side of bottom section 3 and extend in the same directionessentially perpendicularly to the bottom section. Each end of legsections 2, 2′ facing away from bottom section 3 has a fold 13 angledinward at a right angle.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, bottom section 3 isessentially flat. However, it has two grooves 4 extending in thelongitudinal direction of C-shaped profile 1.

Each leg section 2, 2′ forms a lateral surface 5 of C-shaped profile 1.Beads 6 are provided in leg sections 2, 2′. Four beads 6 extending inthe longitudinal direction of C-shaped profile 1 over its entire lengthare provided in the embodiments shown in the figures. As a variation,beads 6 may also be configured in such a way that they extend only overa portion of the length of leg section 2, 2′ and/or in a direction otherthan the longitudinal direction.

C-shaped profile 1 including leg sections 2, 2′ and bottom section 3 ismade from one piece of sheet metal. Leg sections 2, 2′ are shaped asshown in the figures by cold rolling or bending. Beads 6 and grooves 4are also produced by cold deformation of the steel sheet. In the case ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sheet metal is essentially smoothexcept for beads 6 and grooves 4. However, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, knurling 7 is provided. Accordingly, the sheet metal has a largenumber of local, in particular punctiform, deformations as clearly shownin FIG. 2. More than 5 deformations per cm² and in particular more than10 deformations per cm² may be provided.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show how C-shaped profile 1 may be used to produce apartition 8 (partially shown). In this context bottom section 3 ofC-shaped profile 1 is perpendicular to partition 8, leg sections 2, 2′abutting the inside of the planking. In particular, shown gypsumplasterboards 9, 9′, 9″ connected via connecting means 10, primarilydesigned as screws, to leg sections 2, 2′ are suitable as planking. Thelower portion of FIG. 3 shows that two gypsum plasterboards 9′, 9″ abutone another, the joint being sealed with putty 15. An insulatingmaterial 11 is provided inside partition 8 in order to insulate againstsound and/or heat.

Since only beads 6 of leg sections 2, 2′ contact gypsum plasterboards 9,9′, 9″, the support surface is formed by the regions of beads 6protruding the farthest. The oblong configuration of beads 6 results inband-shaped support surface sections 12 in the region of each bead 6 inthe embodiment shown. The area of a support surface section 12 thereforeresults from width R of support surface section 12 and its length. Thetotal support surface is the result of the addition of individualsupport surface sections 12. In the specific embodiments shown, thereare four support surface sections 12 for each lateral surface 5,corresponding to the four beads 6.

It has been determined that effective sound insulation is achieved whenthe support surface is between 5% and 25%, and in particular between 10%and 20%, of lateral surface 5. Lateral surface 5 is measured as theproduct of length L and width B of leg sections 2 and 2′ regardless ofany cutouts, bore holes, etc., present in leg sections 2 (see FIG. 1).Since the support surface may depend on penetration depth E, the supportsurface is determined for an assumed 0.3 mm penetration depth E of beads6 into the planking. Particularly good results are achieved when thesupport surface is between 12% and 18%, preferably between 13% and 16%,of the lateral surface.

The height of beads 6 is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, in particular between1 mm and 3 mm. In the specific embodiments shown, the heights of thebeads of the C-shaped profile are identical.

Beads 6 are convex in the region of the support surface as clearlyvisible in FIG. 4. The radius at the top of the beads is between 0.6 mand 2.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 1.9 mm. Moreover, beads 6 areconfigured in such a way that width R of support surface sections 12 isbetween 1 mm and 3 mm, in particular between 1.3 mm and 2.1 mm, whenpenetration depth E of beads 6 into a planking is 0.3 mm.

C-shaped profiles 1 are made of steel sheet having a thickness between0.3 mm and 3 mm, in particular between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. The elasticmodulus of the sheet metal is between 196 kN/mm² and 216 kN/mm². Thetensile strength of the sheet metal is between 270 MPa and 500 MPa.

FIG. 5 shows how two identical C-shaped profiles 1 may be joined to formone rectangular profile. To facilitate this, both leg sections 2, 2′ ofa C-shaped profile 1 have different lengths, thus making it possible tointerlace the two C-shaped profiles 1 with one another in a simplemanner. In this process the shorter of the two leg sections 2 of oneC-shaped profile 1 is situated on the inside of the longer of the twoleg sections 2′ of the other C-shaped profile 1. The length of theshorter leg section 2 is dimensioned in such a way that this is able tobe accommodated in the space resulting between fold 13 and inside 14 ofbottom section 3. Inside 14 of bottom section 3 is the side of bottomsection 3 facing leg sections 2, 2′. In particular, the lengthdifference between leg sections 2 and 2′ is double the sheet metalthickness or more. The length difference is preferably between two andfour times the sheet metal thickness.

Moreover, beads 6 of both leg sections 2, 2′ are staggered with respectto one another in such a way that when the two C-shaped profiles 1 arejoined to form the rectangular profile shown in FIG. 5 the protrusionsof beads 6 of shorter leg section 2 abut the recesses of beads 6 oflonger leg section 2′. The distance of beads 6 of shorter leg section 2and the distance of beads 6 of longer leg section 2′ from bottom section3 are different.

FIG. 6 shows a further specific embodiment of a C-shaped profile 1 ofthe invention installed in a partition 8. The structure of C-shapedprofile 1 and partition 8 essentially match those in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Reference is made to the description in thisregard which also applies to FIG. 6. Parts having the same function areprovided with the same reference numeral. However, in the case of thespecific embodiment shown in FIG. 6, only one groove 4 which runslengthwise along the C-shaped profile and is broader than the groovesshown in FIG. 3 is provided in bottom section 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 C-shaped profile-   2, 2′ Leg section-   3 Bottom section-   4 Groove-   5 Lateral surface-   6 Bead-   7 Knurling-   8 Partition-   9, 9′, 9″ Gypsum plasterboard-   10 Connecting means-   11 Insulating material-   12 Support surface section-   13 Fold-   14 Inside-   15 Putty-   L Length of the lateral surface-   B Width of the lateral surface-   E Penetration depth-   R Width of the support surface sections

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A C-shaped sheet metal profile for partitionsplanked on both sides comprising: a first leg section; a second legsection; and and a bottom section connecting the first and second legsections, the first and second leg sections forming lateral surfaces ofthe C-shaped profile and the first leg section having beads protrudingoutward from in a support surface for planking, the beads beingconfigured in such a way that the support surface is greater than 5% ofthe lateral surface and less than 25% of the lateral surface when apenetration depth of the beads into the planking is 0.3 mm.
 16. TheC-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein the beads areconfigured in such a way that the support surface is greater than 10% ofthe lateral surface and less than 20% of the lateral surface, when thepenetration depth of the beads into the planking is 0.3 mm.
 17. TheC-shaped profile as recited in claim 16, wherein the beads areconfigured in such a way that the support surface is greater than 12% ofthe lateral surface and less than 18% of the lateral surface, when thepenetration depth of the beads into the planking is 0.3 mm.
 18. TheC-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein the beads areconfigured in such a way that the support surface is greater than 13% ofthe lateral surface and less than 16% of the lateral surface when thepenetration depth of the beads into the planking is 0.3 mm.
 19. TheC-shaped profile as recited in one of claim 15, Wherein the first andsecond leg sections and the bottom section are made from a single sheetof metal.
 20. The C-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein thebeads are oblong and run in the longitudinal direction of the C-shapedprofile.
 21. The C-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein thebeads run over an entire length of the C-shaped profile.
 22. TheC-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein each of the first andsecond leg sections has three to five parallel beads.
 23. The C-shapedprofile as recited in claim 15, wherein each of the first and second legsections has four parallel beads.
 24. The C-shaped profile as recited inclaim 15, wherein a height of the beads is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. 25.The C-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein a height of thebeads is between 1 mm and 3 mm.
 26. The C-shaped profile as recited inclaim 15, wherein at least one of the beads in a region of the supportsurface is convex and a radius at a top of the bead is between 0.6 mmand 2.5 mm.
 27. The C-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein atleast one of the beads in a region of the support surface is convex andradius at a top of the bead is between 0.8 mm and 1.9 mm.
 28. TheC-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein the beads areconfigured in such a way that a width of a section of the supportsurface in the region of one of the beads is between 1 mm and 3 mm, whenthe penetration depth of the beads into the planking is 0.3 mm.
 29. TheC-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein the beads areconfigured in such a way that a width of a section of the supportsurface in the region of one of the beads is between 1.3 mm and 2.1 mm,when the penetration depth of the beads into the planking is 0.3 mm. 30.The C-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein sheet metal of theC-shaped profile has knurling on at least a part of its surface.
 31. TheC-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein a top side of the beadshas a protrusion and a bottom side has a recess.
 32. The C-shapedprofile as recited in claim 31, wherein the first and second legsections have different lengths, so that two identical C-shaped profilescan be joined to form a rectangular profile such that the shorter legsection of one C-shaped profile abuts the inside of the longer legsection of the other C-shaped profile.
 33. The C-shaped profile asrecited in claim 32, wherein the beads of the first and second legsections are staggered with respect to one another in such a way thatwhen two C-shaped profiles are joined to form a rectangular profile, theprotrusions of the beads of the shorter leg sections abut the recessesof the beads of the longer leg sections.
 34. The C-shaped profile asrecited in claim 15, wherein the thickness of a sheet metal is formingat least part of the first, second or bottom sections between 0.3 mm and3 mm.
 35. The C-shaped profile as recited in claim 15, wherein thethickness of the sheet metal is forming at least part of the first,second or bottom sections between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.